New DSLR - Pentax K5

[Mr Bump]

Originally Posted by Sue Allen

......... It's still frustrating that there's nothing longer with fast[and quiet] AF capabilities - without spending a fortune or it being of the large heavy variety. The new Tamron 70-300 looks good, but no plans for a Pentax mount I believe! Checking all the alternatives it looks like the Pentax 55-300 is still top for quality compared with similar 3rd party offerings so it's probably back to square one.

Well, as Hoya reported that Pentax photographic division had a very good last quarter in 2010, continuing buoyant Kr and K-5 sales and Pentax lens manufacturing working at full capacity due to increased demand it might just encourage Pentax to introduce more new WR lenses with the improved AF system of the recent 18-135mm. It could be worth hanging on to see what materialises.

In the meantime the Sigma 50-150mm, though possibly a bit short, is a very nice lens and should serve well. Presumably this is another Sigma lens that won't take a tcon on Pentax?

It's good to see that Pentax cares enough about its present users and potential customers to have a presence at Focus on Imaging next month - unlike Canon and Olympus.

Bump

[mkauff]

Received my K5 a few days ago, one query: when ejecting the SD card, you need to put in serious effort to extract it. I upgraded from the ist DL, where it was a piece of cake to remove the card. Question: is this normal (part of the weather proofing) or do I get it checked out?

[Sue Allen]

It's annoying but normal - as you say, it's because of the seal. I always make sure I take out the card somewhere it won't be a disaster if I drop it as I fumble!

[mkauff]

Thanks Sue. Went to a dealer (yes, open on a Sunday...) and was given the same reply. Another question would be whether anyone uses Elements 8 Premiere for movie editing, if so, what is the general opinion/consensus?

[HinFrance]

I use the tweezers on my swiss army knife if my fingers are too cold.

Hardly ever do any video, even with the video camera. I had Premier Elements 7.0 and never used it. I uninstalled it to save space.

The more I use the K5 the more I am impressed by it. Like everything it takes a bit of getting used to, but its performance is truly impressive.

Bump, the grip is still working

[mkauff]

HinFrance, I agree on the "getting used to it" bit. I entered all the settings that I wanted,only to find that the ahke reduction was greyed out. Could figure it out for a while, then it dawned on me: fit a lens..... My first shots were useless: forgot that I had a CPL fitted in the shop... We live, we learn (even if only to laugh at ourselves).

I have asked the shop to look for an external mike for me, as I would also like to use the video facility. A friend of mine used Pinnacle to edit videos, but that was a pain in the ****, as it continuously froze: apparently a common fault with Pinnacle. Invested in Premiere 8, problem solved. So looks as if that is the route to go.

[Mr Bump]

Hi mkauff,

Good to have you along. This thread has had thousands of views but not many contributors, which is a shame. I hope you'll contribute more posts and that others might do likewise, whether K-5 owners or just thinking about buying.

Originally Posted by mkauff

.......when ejecting the SD card, you need to put in serious effort to extract it.

I'm not sure about 'serious effort' but the cards are fiddly to remove with cold fingers.

Originally Posted by HinFrance

I use the tweezers on my swiss army knife if my fingers are too cold.
Bump, the grip is still working

You must have been a boy scout H Good to hear that the bargain grip is still working. I'll try to pick one up soon (but just splashed out on a new Eizo monitor so funds are low).

Originally Posted by mkauff

I have asked the shop to look for an external mike for me, as I would also like to use the video facility. A friend of mine used Pinnacle to edit videos, but that was a pain in the ****, as it continuously froze: apparently a common fault with Pinnacle. Invested in Premiere 8, problem solved. So looks as if that is the route to go.

I'm another K-5 user who's not particularly bothered about video. A friend of mine does a lot of video editing but that is on a Mac. If you are interested in getting an external mic mkauff here is a link that might interest you. Generally Rode video mikes are well regarded but not cheap. Whatever you get make sure it has an isolation mount. As you probably know, the mic can be hotshoe mounted or alternatively mounted on a bracket attached to the camera's tripod thread. If/when I ever get round to using movie mode I'll try out the Sony ECM-MS907 stereo condenser mic that I bought with a Sony minidisc recorder a few years ago. If it works OK I'll get a shock-mount for it. Then I'll use the camera in 'shaky mobile phone video mode' to capture lots of sky and feet like we see on the news every day

Bump

[Sue Allen]

If I wanted to take video I'd have to look in the manual to see how to access it - I tend to forget the camera has it. Have'nt seen any examples posted - must look on youtube.
I suppose the lack of posts to this thread does reflect the number of actual users or those contemplating buying other than the usual two brands. The price point of the K-5 makes it a less likely first buy in a system than a budget model - most of those already using another brand will have an investment in lenses that makes it harder to swap. Lots of views without lots of contributions is pretty standard. I have to admit I just don't particularly like the current incarnation of this forum [although not wanting to post anymore is largely down to the presence of someone I tried to avoid on the old site when they were there - funny how you can have a natural antipathy to someone you don't know!].

[Mr Bump]

I would have thought that you might make good use of movie mode during your riverside walks Sue - perhaps like the Japanese enthusiast here who uses a K5. I suppose, like all things, it's a matter of making a start. We are all so used to taking still images that the thought of using a SLR to capture video is probably a bit alien to us.

As regards postings as a percentage of views, I assume the 'viewometer' does not distinguish between forum members and casual visitors. No doubt many views are from those Googling 'K-5' and finding their way to this thread. For many months I periodically visited this forum just to browse through before deciding to join and perhaps the majority of viewers are in that position. Presumably the K-5 interests them (or they wouldn't be looking here) so it's a shame not to have more posting impressions, or queries, or whatever.

Yes, I got the feeling a month or so ago that your enthusiasm for the forum had waned somewhat Sue but I can understand your point of view. I must say that a number of forum postings in Jan/Feb (not in this thread) made me wonder what on earth I am doing here and to some extent that feeling lingers. I find this a fairly positive thread so I am hanging on here - but not much more. Antipathy to someone you don't know? - well, people's personalities come across in a series of posts and some will inevitably seem more likeable than others or more admirable than others. Like the rest of life I guess. Now I need a coffee

Bump

[mkauff]

I believe that one has to be careful to get a 'condensor' type mike to avoid electronic interference issues?! The local shops are all clueless. I would like to use the movie mode, if only to see what its potential is. I have joined a local camera club, but must say that I am somewhat disappointed. When mentioning that I have bought a K5 and need advice on how to use it, I was given the brusk RTFM reply. Similarly, when submitting photos for local judging, you need to shot not a good photo, but what the judges want to see....Oh well, I will use from them what I can learn, then sail on to greener pastures.

Mr Bump, seeing that you appear to have taken ownership of this thread, why not try and get specific user info/tips that will make life easier for all of us? Just a suggestion.